Originally brought by McRO, Inc. d.b.a. Planet Blue, the suit alleged that Activision Blizzard violated two patents by using software that automatically animated and synchronized speech patterns to the lips of characters in a number of big budget video games.

A Mountainview, Calif. judge ordered Google to work alongside plaintiffs’ lawyers to determine whether the contents of two hard drives used during the mapping process could reveal private information about U.S. citizens.

Although this course of action is appealing because a win on a motion to dismiss vindicates the litigator and ends the case, it is worth pausing to consider the strategic implications involved with filing pre-answer motions.

Yesterday’s contract will not overcome today’s challenges. However, you can manage that complexity and mitigate those risks using tools, processes and best practices developed over the decades of outsourcing.